Christmas in the Southwest started off with a bang! Traveling into San Antonio, TX to experience the world famous River walk.

We drove into town around lunch time and easily found a place to park. The weather was warm, like around 75 degrees, and for us PNW peeps this was very odd for just a few days before Christmas. Before we hit the walk we soaked up a little bit of this large beautiful city. Grand Southern buildings towered all around us as well as a few churches and five-star hotels. It really is true what they say “Everything is bigger in Texas!” We walk through Hotel Contessa San Antonio. Basked in the glory of the stately Christmas tree in what seemed like a lobby with a never ending ceiling.

Basil was less impressed with the overwhelming beauty of his urban surroundings and more impressed with the very large, very long river that was flowing down the middle of town. He pulled me right up to the ledge of river, which I feel like I must mention had absolutely no railing! This made the River Walk even more beautiful to look at but was a little thrilling for me with a hyper Boston Terrier with an “extreme need” to jump in and swim around and/or drink it.

We spent the next couple of hours walking the paths and stoping in the shops and restaurants as well as watching the river boat tours lazily float down the canal. Along the way there were many great photo opts with waterfalls, floral arrangements and the stage from Miss Congeniality.

As the day slowly turned to night our tummies were starting to tell us that it was time for some food. There are more than a few restaurants to choose from. Almost all of them with large outdoor patios. One thing I did notice while we were there, not only in San Antonio but in Austin as well, every restaurant and bar had someone outside “hawking their wares” to all the pedestrian walking by. Yelling out their specials to get you to come in and spend your money with them. It was very helpful and it was nice to hear a complete stranger tell me “you deserve a drink!” Yes, yes I do!

We stopped upon the Hard Rock Cafe just as twilight hit. They were super friendly and were more then happy to accommodate our large party that included kids and Basil. The staff lit the massive heating lamps around our tables and took our orders. As we sat we talked and people watched and enjoyed as the Christmas lights all came on. The river was alive with dancing twinkling lights. Soon the river tour boats started floating by with Christmas Carolers and even though the temperature was still in the 70’s it actually felt like the holidays.

With our stomachs full and the kids (and Basil) starting to slow down it was time to head back to the car. The walk back was just as fun. Filled with more friendly people, most of them more interested in talking to Basil than to me! We stopped for a moment and listened to a traveling mariachi and took a ton more photos. The River Walk in San Antonio was such a treat. We can’t wait to come back and highly recommend it if you are traveling anywhere near San Antonio. It was worth the trip for sure!